Winning the Job

Winning the Job
By Hal T. Horowitz
Financial Pro Solutions

The Opportunity
No matter how strong the economy, how stable the market or how low the level of unemployment, rest assured that if there is a job you want, someone else wants it as well. More often than not, the perfect opportunity will occur when you least expect it, when you are resigned to retiring from your desk after years of loyal service. And if you want to avail yourself of that opportunity, you had best be prepared to move and move fast, because if you don’t, your competition will.

Remember Your Objective
Your goal in seeking a job is to get it. You are motivated by any combination of benefits including location, career path, challenge, environment, potential for accomplishment, enjoyment, prestige and money. Remember that you are not only changing positions, you are changing your life. So when setting goals, make sure you have the support of your family. In all likelihood, securing their future is your objective.

Map Out a Plan
Motivation alone will not get you the job. As with any business task, you must have a strategy for meeting this goal. This is especially true when it comes to changing jobs. How you conduct your job search is largely determined by how you allocate your resources, primarily your time. While reading through the classified ads and surfing the web may yield several opportunities, this type of job search may not be the most efficient. (Did you know that many “blind” ads are placed by employers to see how many of their own employees will respond to them?) The fact is, the best jobs are not advertised, and of course those that are will always attract the most competition.

It’s Your Time.
A reputable, client-retained search firm such as Wingate Dunross Associates will often have their thumb on the best jobs. The benefits are many:

• Your résumé is matched to specific job orders;
• You are sent out only on interviews for positions for which you are technically qualified;
• You are screened to determine not only if you are the right person for the job, but if this job is the right one for you;
• You are aided by professionals who know what the employer is looking for;
• You are a member of a very limited pool of talent from which the successful candidate will be selected; and
• If you are not the successful candidate for one position, you may well be considered for another.

A Search Firm Can’t Do It All
We can only help. Your résumé and your presence are key to getting the job you want. Your résumé is an extension of yourself. It is usually the first thing your potential employer will see. Remember: You only have one chance to make a first impression. Make it the best one possible.

Tips to Writing the Better Résumé
A good résumé may get you in the door, but it will not get you the job; on the other hand, a bad résumé will prevent you from getting the job you want. The extra time you spend to make sure your résumé accurately, adequately and succinctly represent your experience and technical abilities is time well spent. Although the actual format may vary, here are a few thoughts to keep in mind when putting your resume together:

• Limit the Length. Keep it to a page, two at most. Unless you have an unusual and diverse list of outstanding achievements, this is a résumé, not a curriculum vita.


• Appearance. Use only 8½ by 11-inch minimum 20-pound bond paper, either white or ivory. Use Word, or some other easily readable word processor and justify only your left margins. Limit your paragraphs to five or six lines and maintain a space between them. Leave adequate margins. SPELL CHECK.


• Keep it Simple. Use conventional, easy to understand English. Words of one or two syllables are easy to follow. Multi-syllabic words tend to either confuse or be thought of as pretentious.


• Do Not Use Personal Pronouns. Save I, me, my, our, us, she, he, him or her for the interview. It's assumed that your résumé is all about you.


• Make it Tailor-made. Revise your résumé when possible to fit the specific job for which you are applying.


• Showcase Your Achievements. Always specify your accomplishments and the contributions you made to your former employers. Avoid being vague.


• Be Complete. List the month and year you started and terminated each position. Indicate the reason for any gaps in employment and try to cover as much history as possible.


• Avoid Reasons For Termination. They will only be viewed as negative. You will be asked to explain them in person.


• Limit Extracurricular Items. Avoid wasting space on hobbies, sports or social activities. However, do list community involvement or networking affiliations where it is relevant to your work.


• Get Rid of the Objective. Employers know your objectives are geared to what you think they want to hear.


• Do Not Describe Yourself Physically. Never state your age, height, weight, race or comment on your physical appearance.


• Do Not Address Your Domestic Life. Married, divorced, or number of childred are not necessary and can put a potential employer in a position of violating your right to privacy.


• Show Higher Education Only. Show your degrees and the schools at which they were obtained. There is no need to list your elementary or high school. Also show your professional training, where you recieved it and any certificates you may have attained.


• Don’t Show References. Do not list any of your personal references or even state that they are available upon request. You will be asked for them at the appropriate time.


• Or Salary. Save that for the interview. If required, show it in a cover letter.


• Other Things to Avoid. The résumé is not a forum for being cute or showing off your professional jargon or buzz words. Your Social Security Number is not only not necessary but is private information and should only be provdied when requested - and then only for a valid reason.


• And finally: Never Lie. Never Lie. Never Lie.

The Purpose of the Interview is to WIN.
Your résumé shows that you are technically qualified to do the job. You got your foot in the door. Your recruiter has arranged to introduce you to an employer. Now what?

For starters, try to be flexible in scheduling the meeting. A candidate who is difficult to schedule is viewed as generally disinterested in the position. This may well be their first real test of whether you really want the job.

Once the interview is arranged it’s time to research the company. You will want to go into the interview knowing as much about your potential future employer as possible. Your recruiter should provide you with information about the company, a job description, insights into the interview procedure and the people with whom you will be meeting. Your recruiter may even tell you what to wear to help you win that job. (If in doubt, dress professionally.) Remember that preparing for an interview is time well spent. Spend it in hours, not minutes.

A Few Words to the Wise.

Do:

• Arrive early.


• Dress professionally.


• Make sure you appear neat.


• Have a pen and paper. Carry a Day Timer if you have one and wear a watch. Don't waste time texting in information to your Blueberry or PA.


• Bring an extra copy of your résumé.


• Introduce your accomplishments and tell how they will benefit this employer.


• Level your playing field by asking questions


• Ask questions about the company.


• Ask questions about the job.


• Ask questions about your responsibilities and your goals.


• Ask questions designed to help the employer see you fitting in.

Don't:

• Be overly familiar with your interviewer.


• Discuss politics, religion, or topical news.


• Try to be funny and particularly, don't engage in ethnic, sexual or sick humor.


• Speak negatively about your former employers.


• Drop names of others in the industry to either impress or to speak poorly of.

Some Questions you Might Expect

• Tell me about yourself.


• Why did you leave your last job?


• What do you enjoy about your job?


• What are your current goals?


• Where would you like to be in five years?


• What are your strengths?


• What are your weak points?


• Why do you want to work for this firm?


• Why should we hire you?

You should be able to answer these questions without seeming rehearsed. Limit answers to the questions asked and offer explanations only when necessary.

Don’t be surprised if you feel tense. Discomfort is a natural reaction when you’re under a microscope. If necessary use your last moments before the interview to focus on something relaxing. The company has a need and you may well be their solution. The more prepared you are for the interview, the more comfortable you will be. And remember, asking questions of your interviewer keeps the interview more conversational.